Cooking became a necessity after I moved out on my own. After missing
mom's homecooked meals and wanting to broaden my culinary skills beyond
the musician's staple of mac n cheese or ramen noodles, I decided to learn
how to cook. I get a lot of practice and either delight in my abilities or
suffer the consequences of my actions, depending on whether I closely followed
instructions or decided to go on one of my improvisational flights of fancy.

I liken cooking to teaching or music making, in that, through practice and repetition
it is possible to refine one's skills and eventually one can claim to be an artisan
[not that I ever would, unless I received proper training!] It is also a great way to
save money and to expand my love of learning in a new area. I've included
some recipes that were either bestowed upon me or collected from various sources
for your enjoyment. Happy eating!

filipino recipes
chicken nilaga:
A soup-based healthy and simple meal.

chicken pastel:
A filipino version of the north-american chicken pot pie.

pork sinigang:
Sour broth with green veggies making use of tamarind powder.

beef picadillo:
A dish based on the spanish picadillo, also making use of the potent tamarind powder.

beef bistek:
My version of the Philippine influenced beef steak.